Massachusetts Public Health Inspector Training Wastewater Certificate Program (MA PHIT WW) Session 7: Existing Septic Systems: Inspections and Corrective Action 1 MA PHIT- Wastewater Certificate Program, Session 7

Learning Objectives After completing this session, you will be able to:  Explain requirements to act as a Title 5 Inspector  List the times when inspections are required  Describe the inspection process and minimum requirements  Name failure criteria  List inspection result categories  Explain acceptable corrective actions for each category 2 MA PHIT- Wastewater Certificate Program, Session 7

System Inspection  Inspection vs. Assessment  Existing vs. New  Local Regulations and Fees 3 MA PHIT- Wastewater Certificate Program, Session 7

Official Inspection Form Key Elements: Certification Inspection Results  Passes  Conditionally Passes  Further Evaluation by BOH  Fails 4 MA PHIT- Wastewater Certificate Program, Session 7

Inspectors 1. Automatic Approval  MA Registered Professional Engineers with a concentration in civil, sanitary or environmental engineering  MA Registered Sanitarians  MA Certified Health Officers 5 MA PHIT- Wastewater Certificate Program, Session 7

Inspectors 2. Application and Exam  Board of Health Members and Agents  Licensed Septic System Installers or Haulers  Professional Home Inspectors  Engineers in Training  Others with 1 year experience 6 MA PHIT- Wastewater Certificate Program, Session 7

Inspection Purpose  Protect Public Health and Safety and the Environment by identifying and correcting failed systems. 7 MA PHIT- Wastewater Certificate Program, Session 7

A new resident calls regarding their septic system. They moved in three months ago and they just discovered a sewage breakout in the backyard over the SAS. They have a passing Title 5 inspection report from when they purchased the house and are very upset. “You obviously didn’t review the report very well when it was submitted, and the system inspector did not do a thorough job!” How do you respond? Discussion 8 MA PHIT- Wastewater Certificate Program, Session 7

Timing Inspections are required by local and/or state codes and can be triggered in two ways: 1. Periodic inspections  Large systems— 10,000 – 15,000 gpd (every five years)  Condominiums (every three years)  Shared systems (annually) 9 MA PHIT- Wastewater Certificate Program, Session 7

2. Event triggered  Time of transfer of property (with exceptions)  Change in use or expansion of facility  Increase in flow to the system Timing 10 MA PHIT- Wastewater Certificate Program, Session 7

Inspection Process Minimum Requirements 1. Note general conditions 2. Locate and inspect all components prior to SAS 3. Determine high groundwater elevation  Do I have to expose and inspect the SAS?  Do I have to expose and inspect a cesspool, if present?  MassDEP Guide: MA PHIT- Wastewater Certificate Program, Session 7

Preparation File and Records Review  Permits & System plans (incl. as- builts)  Groundwater information  Water use records  Private well information  Previous inspection reports  Pumping records  Conservation Commission filings DigSafe Number 12 MA PHIT- Wastewater Certificate Program, Session 7

Starting the Inspection Once on site  Sensory inspection  Speak with homeowner ̶ Sump pump? Wet basement? ̶ Backups? Plumbing problems? ̶ Garbage disposal/grinder? ̶ Number of residents/bedrooms? ̶ Problems or issues? 13 MA PHIT- Wastewater Certificate Program, Session 7

Inspection Requirements Locate and Inspect System Components  Building Sewer  Septic Tank – Dig up and open both covers  Distribution Box – Dig up and open  Soil Absorption System (SAS)  Cesspool – Dig up and open  Water Well – locate if applicable 14 MA PHIT- Wastewater Certificate Program, Session 7

Building Sewer  Locate and inspect all pipes exiting the building 15 MA PHIT- Wastewater Certificate Program, Session 7

Septic Tank Expose and remove manhole covers  Determine material of construction  Assess condition of tank and tees or baffles  Measure tank dimensions 16 MA PHIT- Wastewater Certificate Program, Session 7

Septic Tank, cont’d Check inlet/outlet tees or baffles  Assess liquid levels and movement (infiltration or exfiltration) Does the septic tank have to be pumped as part of the inspection? 17 MA PHIT- Wastewater Certificate Program, Session 7

Septic Tank, cont’d  Measure & report sludge depth & thickness ̶ If within 12” of outlet invert recommend pumping  Measure & report scum depth & thickness ̶ If within 2” of bottom of outlet or top of outlet recommend pumping 18 MA PHIT- Wastewater Certificate Program, Session 7

Distribution Box Expose and remove cover  Is box level & flow equal?  Any solids carry over or evidence of backup? Check static water level  Is it watertight and structurally sound? 19 MA PHIT- Wastewater Certificate Program, Session 7

Pump or Dosing Chambers Expose pump or chamber Evidence of backup? Is pump functioning? Is alarm functioning? Examine inlet/outlet piping Note float elevations 20 MA PHIT- Wastewater Certificate Program, Session 7

Soil Absorption System (SAS) Assess the area where the SAS is located. This is not always easy to find or inspect!  Is it damp?  Is there ponding?  Is it within the estimated seasonal high groundwater 21 MA PHIT- Wastewater Certificate Program, Session 7

Cesspool MA PHIT- Wastewater Certificate Program, Session 7 22

Cesspools  Expose and remove cover ̶ Measure dimensions ̶ Identify material of construction ̶ Measure liquid level (adequate capacity?) ̶ Estimate seasonal high groundwater  Is there adequate capacity for the current flow?  Is it above the groundwater? 23 MA PHIT- Wastewater Certificate Program, Session 7

Groundwater Determination 24 MA PHIT- Wastewater Certificate Program, Session 7

Groundwater Determination Determine by least invasive method: 1. System design plans on record 2. Observed at site 3. Checked with BOH 4. Checked with local excavators or installers (need documentation) 5. USGS database (need explanation) 25 MA PHIT- Wastewater Certificate Program, Session 7

Groundwater Determination Useful Resources: 1. Web Soil Survey mePage.htm 2. USGS Groundwater Watch aps/MA_017.html 26 MA PHIT- Wastewater Certificate Program, Session 7

Failure Criteria All Systems 1. Backup into facility or system component 2. Discharge or ponding of effluent 3. Static level in D Box above outlet invert 4. Pumping more than 4 times/year (not caused by clogged pipe) 5. Metal septic or tight tank (in certain cases) 6. SAS, cesspool or privy within groundwater 27 MA PHIT- Wastewater Certificate Program, Session 7

Failure Criteria All Systems BOH may require further evaluation for drinking water protection ( (1)(c) 28 MA PHIT- Wastewater Certificate Program, Session 7

Failure Criteria Cesspools and Privies 1. Within 100 feet of a surface water supply or tributary to a surface water supply 2. Within a Zone I of a public well 3. Within 50 feet of a private water supply well 4. Less than 100 feet but 50 feet or more from a private water supply well without acceptable lab analysis 5. Less than 1/2 day’s storage or less than 6” to invert 6. Design flow between 2,000 – 10,000 gpd 29 MA PHIT- Wastewater Certificate Program, Session 7

Sewage Breakout on Abutting Property Photographs MA PHIT- Wastewater Certificate Program, Session 7 30

Ponding Over SAS 31 MA PHIT- Wastewater Certificate Program, Session 7 Photographs, cont’d

Leaking Tank 32 MA PHIT- Wastewater Certificate Program, Session 7 Photographs, cont’d

Laundry Pipe Discharging into Lake Evidence of soap on rocks 33 MA PHIT- Wastewater Certificate Program, Session 7 Photographs, cont’d

Septic Tank Tee with Scum Stain 34 MA PHIT- Wastewater Certificate Program, Session 7 Photographs, cont’d

Backup Into Riser of Tank 35 MA PHIT- Wastewater Certificate Program, Session 7 Photographs, cont’d

Backup in D-box 36 MA PHIT- Wastewater Certificate Program, Session 7 Photographs, cont’d

Inspection is Complete… …now what? Certification options:  Pass  Conditionally Passes  Fails  Needs Further Evaluation by Local Approving Agency (LAA) 37 MA PHIT- Wastewater Certificate Program, Session 7

Next Steps  Report must be filed within 30 days of inspection  If system “Passes” ̶ Inspection is good for 2 years ̶ If pumped annually, report is good for 3 years  If system “Conditionally Passes” ̶ Minor repair required (i.e. D box replacement) ̶ Once repair is complete and inspected, system “Passes”  If “Further Evaluation is Needed by BOH” ̶ BOH must evaluate and render a decision  If system “Fails” ̶ Failure must be corrected in 2 years max ̶ Time can be shortened by BOH 38 MA PHIT- Wastewater Certificate Program, Session 7

Myths  A house with a failed septic system cannot be sold.  A cesspool automatically fails inspection.  Someone who installs systems can’t inspect them  Cash sales do not require inspections 39 MA PHIT- Wastewater Certificate Program, Session 7

Inspection Did Not Pass Categories  Conditional Pass  Further Evaluation by BOH  Fail 40 MA PHIT- Wastewater Certificate Program, Session 7

Repair Options 1. Connect to a Sewer 2. Install a conventional system (or component) 3. Install a non- conventional system (or component) 41 MA PHIT- Wastewater Certificate Program, Session 7

Timeframes Failing systems must be corrected:  Within 2 years  Sooner if required by LBOH due to imminent hazard exists  Owner to insure no backup or surface discharge  Systems to be abandoned in accordance with regulations 42 MA PHIT- Wastewater Certificate Program, Session 7

Session Recap After completing this session, you will be able to:  Explain requirements to act as a Title 5 Inspector  List the times when inspections are required  Describe the inspection process and minimum requirements  Name failure criteria  List inspection result categories  Explain acceptable corrective actions for each category 43 MA PHIT- Wastewater Certificate Program, Session 7

NEXT STEPS Evaluation Exam Additional MA PHIT WW training Online Course Guide APHITWW/index.html MA PHIT- Wastewater Certificate Program, Session 744